From 1966 to 1967, terrifying reports of a winged, red-eyed creature surfaced in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Nearly 60 years later, the town proudly embraces its eerie claim to fame as Mothman’s hometown. Celebrate the cryptid’s legacy at the Mothman Museum, play Mothman Mini Golf, and visit the TNT Area, the cryptid’s old stomping grounds.
When to Visit
Mothman’s legend is eternal, and his attractions are open year-round so anytime of year is a great time to visit. My own pilgrimage was on a rainy weekend at the end of summer and I was impressed by how many Mothman fans braved the weather. For peak Mothmania, plan your trip around the annual Mothman Festival, a two-day event held every September. The festival includes cryptid experts, costume contests, vendors, and food trucks. In 2024, it was held on September 21-22.
The TNT Area
Kick off your Mothman journey at the TNT Area, also known as the McClintic Wildlife Management Area. The landscape is dotted with rows of abandoned WWII bunkers (concrete “igloos”), which many believe was Mothman’s lair.
Location: Potters Creek Rd, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
Just put ‘TNT Igloo Parking’ into your GPS. There’s a path from where you park, that opens up with a swampy lily pond on your left and the igloos on your right.
During WWII, the TNT Area was an 8,000-acre explosives manufacturing facility. The production of TNT is highly toxic, which landed the site on a government cleanup list in 1983. There was even an explosion here as recently as 2010, so be careful as you explore.
I visited on a quiet Sunday morning, but can easily imagine how spooky this place would feel at night. Besides Mothman, there are (unverified) stories of chemically mutated creatures, KKK rallies, and orgies held at the igloos. The structures are now crumbling, overgrown, and covered in graffiti – they’re honestly very beautiful. Step inside one for a crazy cool echo. (Also, wear insect repellent if you go in the warmer months. I got swarmed!)
@yallwaterfall Mothman (㇏(🔴 ᢍ 🔴)ノ)
♬ original sound – Steph
The Mothman Statue
Head downtown to see the famous Mothman statue.
Location: 201 4th St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
Standing 12 feet tall, this stainless steel figure with glowing red eyes and enormous wings is impossible to miss. Sculptor Bob Roach deserves major kudos for this masterpiece and perfect photo op. Also, no one prepared me for how ripped Mothman is?! This guy has washboard abs and a big juicy butt. His shiny hiney is definitely a point of interest – the Mothman Museum sells t-shirts and there’s a problem with tourists jamming coins into his butt-crack. While you’re there, check out the mural, featuring a patriotic Mothman painted with the American flag on the back of the museum.
The Mothman Museum
Location: 400 Main St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
Hours: 10am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 10am-6pm Friday-Saturday, 12-5pm Sunday
Cost: $6
The Mothman Museum is a treasure trove of all things related to the cryptid. It’s packed with newspaper clippings, eyewitness accounts, art, and memorabilia that dives deep into the mystery surrounding Mothman. You can even see props and costumes from the 2002 film The Mothman Prophecies (though the movie was confusingly not filmed in Point Pleasant). I loved the various depictions of Mothman – there are several life-size figurines and an applique quilt!
Mothman Blacklight Mini-Golf
Location: 404 Main St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550 (upstairs)
Fall Hours: 11am-5pm Friday-Saturday, 12-5pm Sunday
Cost: $10
For some dayglo fun, head next door to play a round of Mothman Mini Golf. The course is relatively new, and super well-designed, with some men-in-black action and glowing Mothmans lurking around every corner. The last hole’s instruction? “Just get the ball in the building. Mothman’ll take care of the rest.” Don’t miss out on a cute photo op with Mothman at the end.
The Silver Bridge Memorial
Location: 4th St. Point Pleasant, WV 25550
Take a stroll along the Ohio River at Riverfront Park to see battle murals and statues of historical figures from Point Pleasant, including Chief Cornstalk and Daniel Boone (also made by Mothman’s sculptor, Bob Roach). Along the riverwalk, you’ll find a plaque dedicated to the victims of the Silver Bridge collapse in 1967, which is often linked to Mothman sightings before the tragedy.
Mothman-Themed Treats
- Point Pleasant offers plenty of ways to indulge your taste for Mothman:
- Mothman Root Beer at The Point Pleasant Trading Company, 404 Main St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
- Mothman cookies at The Coffee Grinder, 330 Main St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
- Mothman ice cream sundae at What’s the Scoop, 208 4th St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
- Mothman pizza at The Village Inn, 2922 Jackson Ave, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
Mothman Timeline
- November 12, 1966: The first Mothman sighting occurred when five gravediggers in Clendenin, WV, saw a winged figure flying overhead.
- November 15, 1966: Two couples on a double date encountered Mothman near the TNT Area. As they sped away, Mothman chased their car. “I know people are laughing at us, but it’s no laughing matter… Every little noise scares me to death,” said witness Linda Scarberry.
- November 16, 1966 – December 1967: Mothman sightings continued around Point Pleasant, especially near the TNT Area, with witnesses describing the creature as standing 6-7 feet tall with large wings. Some newspapers question whether this is an alien, a bipedal mutant, or just an aggressive sandhill crane.
- December 15, 1967: The Silver Bridge collapsed, killing 46 people. Many locals believe Mothman sightings were a warning of the disaster.
- 1975: John Keel’s The Mothman Prophecies is published, sparking even more interest in the creature (I love the Frank Frazetta cover art!). The 2002 movie adaptation was filmed in Pennsylvania, which honestly seems like a rude oversight to Point Pleasant!
Where to Stay
The Lowe Hotel: I would have loved to stay at this reportedly haunted hotel, but it was closed at the time. Definitely check it out while exploring downtown—it’s a historic beauty built in 1901.
Disclosure: This following contains an affiliate link, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my link, at no cost to you.
I ended up staying just across the river at the Super 8 in Gallipolis, Ohio. In late August 2024, this was a great bargain—clean, quiet, with a super friendly staff and unbeatable price.
West Virginia is a weird and beautiful state, and you’ve gotta love that an entire town has embraced its most famous resident, a mysterious and scary cryptid. Point Pleasant shows appreciation for Mothman everywhere. From the eerie bunkers at the TNT Area to the Mothman Museum and statue downtown, this is a truly cool place to visit.
Find More Places To Visit!
